Booth notebook

Session notes from the booth.

The lineup logic, the song notes, and the things I want you to hear, saved one session at a time.

Stored notes
120
Artists
18
Genres
18
Special turns
5
4 saved turns
Lineup logic first. Song notes right behind it.
Soulful / crisp chargePlaylist noteApr 20, 20262:14 PM

Why Don't You Write Me is setting the midday temperature on the dial.

Why Don't You Write Me by The Jacks off The Birth Of Doo Wop 1948-1955 (1994) is coming through with a steady shoulder-roll, a soulful / crisp charge lean, and a touch of crisp charge. I Wanted To Be Wrong is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
Why Don't You Write Me
The Jacks
The Birth Of Doo Wop 1948-1955 · 1994 · Doo-Wop
Lineup note
Why Don't You Write Me into I Wanted To Be Wrong

Why Don't You Write Me by The Jacks off The Birth Of Doo Wop 1948-1955 (1994) belongs here because I Wanted To Be Wrong by R.E.M. and Drive by Blind Melon provide a smooth emotional arc and keep the station's mood consistent.. I Wanted To Be Wrong is waiting as the answer, so this record is doing more than setting a mood; it is shaping the turn.

Track context
The Birth Of Doo Wop 1948-1955 · 1994

Why Don't You Write Me comes through with a steady shoulder-roll and doo-wop around the edges, giving the sequence a 1990s depth instead of a quick disposable hit. The crowd response around Me And Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul suggests listeners are leaning toward texture and detail, not just impact.

Listen for
What to catch in the room

Listen for how I Wanted To Be Wrong answers the color and pressure of the current record instead of simply matching its tempo. The real hook is in how the doo-wop grain keeps glowing even as the transition opens up.

The JacksR.E.M.Blind MelonDoo-WopRockAlternative Rocksoulful / crisp chargemiddaycrisp chargeDoo-Wop
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
Why Don't You Write Me
The Jacks
Why it fits

Why Don't You Write Me by The Jacks lands here because I Wanted To Be Wrong by R.E.M. and Drive by Blind Melon provide a smooth emotional arc and keep the station's mood consistent.. The doo-wop edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. I Wanted To Be Wrong can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On The Birth Of Doo Wop 1948-1955 (1994), Why Don't You Write Me shows The Jacks working in a 1990s pocket with doo-wop in the grain. The cut moves with a steady shoulder-roll, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the doo-wop texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for I Wanted To Be Wrong to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

02next
I Wanted To Be Wrong
R.E.M.
Why it fits

I Wanted To Be Wrong answers Why Don't You Write Me by The Jacks with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Drive can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Around The Sun (2004), I Wanted To Be Wrong shows R.E.M. working in a 2000s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a candlelit drift, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Why Don't You Write Me without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for Drive to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

03later
Drive
Blind Melon
Why it fits

Drive answers I Wanted To Be Wrong by R.E.M. with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The alternative rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

Track context

On Blind Melon (1992), Drive shows Blind Melon working in a 1990s pocket with alternative rock in the grain. The cut moves with a steady shoulder-roll, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the alternative rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers I Wanted To Be Wrong without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Open saved booth copy

Mr Rassy is lining up I Wanted To Be Wrong by R.E.M. off Around The Sun (2004). It hit in 2004, it comes off Around The Sun, Rock on the edges. The transition feels clean and alive. I Wanted To Be Wrong by R.E.M. and Drive by Blind Melon provide a smooth emotional arc and keep the station's mood consistent.

Soulful / loose magnetismPlaylist noteApr 20, 20261:11 PM

High Hopes is setting the midday temperature on the dial.

High Hopes by Pink Floyd off The Division Bell (Hi-Res 24/96 Version) (2014) is coming through with a bright electric charge, a soulful / loose magnetism lean, and a touch of loose magnetism. The Worst Joke Ever is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
High Hopes
Pink Floyd
The Division Bell (Hi-Res 24/96 Version) · 2014 · Pop, Rock
Lineup note
High Hopes into The Worst Joke Ever

High Hopes by Pink Floyd off The Division Bell (Hi-Res 24/96 Version) (2014) belongs here because Keeps the emotional pressure steady after New York, New York by Ryan Adams and changes the palette without cutting the thread. R.E.M. is one of Ian's steadier shelf presences.. The Worst Joke Ever is waiting as the answer, so this record is doing more than setting a mood; it is shaping the turn.

Track context
The Division Bell (Hi-Res 24/96 Version) · 2014

High Hopes comes through with a bright electric charge and pop, rock around the edges, giving the sequence a 2010s depth instead of a quick disposable hit. The crowd response around Me And Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul suggests listeners are leaning toward texture and detail, not just impact.

Listen for
What to catch in the room

Listen for how The Worst Joke Ever answers the color and pressure of the current record instead of simply matching its tempo. The real hook is in how the pop, rock grain keeps glowing even as the transition opens up.

Pink FloydR.E.M.StingPop, RockRocksoulful / loose magnetismmiddayloose magnetismPop, Rock
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
High Hopes
Pink Floyd
Why it fits

High Hopes by Pink Floyd lands here because Keeps the emotional pressure steady after New York, New York by Ryan Adams and changes the palette without cutting the thread. R.E.M. is one of Ian's steadier shelf presences.. The pop, rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. The Worst Joke Ever can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On The Division Bell (Hi-Res 24/96 Version) (2014), High Hopes shows Pink Floyd working in a 2010s pocket with pop, rock in the grain. The cut moves with a bright electric charge, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the pop, rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for The Worst Joke Ever to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

02next
The Worst Joke Ever
R.E.M.
Why it fits

The Worst Joke Ever answers High Hopes by Pink Floyd with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Englishman In New York can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Around The Sun (2004), The Worst Joke Ever shows R.E.M. working in a 2000s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers High Hopes without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for Englishman In New York to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

03later
Englishman In New York
Sting
Why it fits

Englishman In New York answers The Worst Joke Ever by R.E.M. with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The pop, rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

Track context

On ...Nothing Like The Sun (1987), Englishman In New York shows Sting working in a 1980s pocket with pop, rock in the grain. The cut moves with a candlelit drift, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the pop, rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers The Worst Joke Ever without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Open saved booth copy

Mr Rassy is lining up The Worst Joke Ever by R.E.M. off Around The Sun (2004). It hit in 2004, it comes off Around The Sun, Rock on the edges. The transition feels clean and alive. Keeps the emotional pressure steady after New York, New York by Ryan Adams and changes the palette without cutting the thread. R.E.M. is one of Ian's steadier shelf presences.

Soulful / bright pressurePlaylist noteApr 20, 202612:21 PM

Final Straw is setting the midday temperature on the dial.

Final Straw by R.E.M. off Around The Sun (2004) is coming through with a steady shoulder-roll, a soulful / bright pressure lean, and a touch of bright pressure. A Clean Break (Live) is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
Final Straw
R.E.M.
Around The Sun · 2004 · Rock
Lineup note
Final Straw into A Clean Break (Live)

Final Straw by R.E.M. off Around The Sun (2004) belongs here because I've Got To Use My Imagination by Gladys Knight And The Pips keeps the emotional pressure steady after Bad Time by Grand Funk and keeps rock in the grain. Rock is a real lane in this library, which helps the choice feel rooted instead of random.. A Clean Break (Live) is waiting as the answer, so this record is doing more than setting a mood; it is shaping the turn.

Track context
Around The Sun · 2004

Final Straw comes through with a steady shoulder-roll and rock around the edges, giving the sequence a 2000s depth instead of a quick disposable hit. The crowd response around Me And Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul suggests listeners are leaning toward texture and detail, not just impact.

Listen for
What to catch in the room

Listen for how A Clean Break (Live) answers the color and pressure of the current record instead of simply matching its tempo. The real hook is in how the rock grain keeps glowing even as the transition opens up.

R.E.M.Talking HeadsRed Hot Chili PeppersRockAlternativeIndie Rock/Rock Popsoulful / bright pressuremiddaybright pressureRock
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
Final Straw
R.E.M.
Why it fits

Final Straw by R.E.M. lands here because I've Got To Use My Imagination by Gladys Knight And The Pips keeps the emotional pressure steady after Bad Time by Grand Funk and keeps rock in the grain. Rock is a real lane in this library, which helps the choice feel rooted instead of random.. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. A Clean Break (Live) can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Around The Sun (2004), Final Straw shows R.E.M. working in a 2000s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a steady shoulder-roll, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for A Clean Break (Live) to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

02next
A Clean Break (Live)
Talking Heads
Why it fits

A Clean Break (Live) answers Final Straw by R.E.M. with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The alternative / rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Behind The Sun can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On Live: 77 (Live) (2019), A Clean Break (Live) shows Talking Heads working in a 2010s pocket with alternative / rock in the grain. The cut moves with a steady shoulder-roll, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the alternative / rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Final Straw without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for Behind The Sun to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

03later
Behind The Sun
Red Hot Chili Peppers
Why it fits

Behind The Sun answers A Clean Break (Live) by Talking Heads with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

Track context

On What Hits!? (1992), Behind The Sun shows Red Hot Chili Peppers working in a 1990s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a bright electric charge, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers A Clean Break (Live) without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Open saved booth copy

Mr Rassy is lining up A Clean Break (Live) by Talking Heads off Live: 77 (Live) (2019). It hit in 2019, it comes off Live: 77 (Live), Alternative / Rock on the edges. The transition feels clean and alive. I've Got To Use My Imagination by Gladys Knight And The Pips keeps the emotional pressure steady after Bad Time by Grand Funk and keeps rock in the grain. Rock is a real lane in this library, which helps the choice feel rooted instead of random.

Soulful / loose magnetismPlaylist noteApr 20, 202612:06 PM

Walkin' is setting the midday temperature on the dial.

Walkin' by Miles Davis off At Plugged Nickel, Chicago (CD1) (1965) is coming through with a slow-burn glide, a soulful / loose magnetism lean, and a touch of loose magnetism. Cheap Thrills is already changing how the current record reads.

Record in focus
Walkin'
Miles Davis
At Plugged Nickel, Chicago (CD1) · 1965 · Jazz
Lineup note
Walkin' into Cheap Thrills

Walkin' by Miles Davis off At Plugged Nickel, Chicago (CD1) (1965) belongs here because Cheap Thrills by Sia and Final Straw by R.E.M. provide a sharp two-step that extends the feeling of David Bowie's I’d Rather Be High without sounding automatic.. Cheap Thrills is waiting as the answer, so this record is doing more than setting a mood; it is shaping the turn.

Track context
At Plugged Nickel, Chicago (CD1) · 1965

Walkin' comes through with a slow-burn glide and jazz around the edges, giving the sequence a 1960s depth instead of a quick disposable hit. The crowd response around Me And Mrs. Jones by Billy Paul suggests listeners are leaning toward texture and detail, not just impact.

Listen for
What to catch in the room

Listen for how Cheap Thrills answers the color and pressure of the current record instead of simply matching its tempo. The real hook is in how the jazz grain keeps glowing even as the transition opens up.

Miles DavisSiaR.E.M.JazzPop, RockRocksoulful / loose magnetismmiddayloose magnetismJazz
Session map
3 stored song notes
01now
Walkin'
Miles Davis
Why it fits

Walkin' by Miles Davis lands here because Cheap Thrills by Sia and Final Straw by R.E.M. provide a sharp two-step that extends the feeling of David Bowie's I’d Rather Be High without sounding automatic.. The jazz edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Cheap Thrills can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On At Plugged Nickel, Chicago (CD1) (1965), Walkin' shows Miles Davis working in a 1960s pocket with jazz in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the jazz texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. It also leaves a lane for Cheap Thrills to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

02next
Cheap Thrills
Sia
Why it fits

Cheap Thrills answers Walkin' by Miles Davis with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The pop, rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match. Final Straw can step in after it without the handoff feeling pre-chewed.

Track context

On This Is Acting (2016), Cheap Thrills shows Sia working in a 2010s pocket with pop, rock in the grain. The cut moves with a slow-burn glide, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the pop, rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Walkin' without borrowing the same emotional weight. It also leaves a lane for Final Straw to arrive without the segue feeling forced.

03later
Final Straw
R.E.M.
Why it fits

Final Straw answers Cheap Thrills by Sia with a related tension instead of a copycat move, so the sequence keeps opening out. The rock edge gives the turn a more precise contour than a plain mood match.

Track context

On Around The Sun (2004), Final Straw shows R.E.M. working in a 2000s pocket with rock in the grain. The cut moves with a steady shoulder-roll, which is why it can hold this turn without flattening it.

Listen for

Listen for the rock texture in the pocket, especially in the way the arrangement keeps color moving under the lead. You can hear how it answers Cheap Thrills without borrowing the same emotional weight.

Open saved booth copy

Mr Rassy is lining up Cheap Thrills by Sia off This Is Acting (2016). It hit in 2016, it comes off This Is Acting, Pop, Rock on the edges. The transition feels clean and alive. Cheap Thrills by Sia and Final Straw by R.E.M. provide a sharp two-step that extends the feeling of David Bowie's I’d Rather Be High without sounding automatic.